Bush:
Relax rules in homeowner groups |
Article Courtesy of TCPalm.com
Published February 6, 2004
BY Diana Moskovitz
PORT ST. LUCIE — Gov. Jeb Bush said Friday
he supported relaxing rules homeowner associations can place on residents,
such those imposed on the Jupiter man fighting to keep a flagpole in front
of his house.
Bush made the comments
while visiting the Treasure Coast Builders Association to honor their contributions
to the Big Brothers Big Sisters program
and talk about
the positive effects mentoring can have
in a community.
After meeting with members of the TCBA,
Bush told reporters he felt the boards might need additional regulation
to keep them from overpowering homeowners.
"We need some reforms," Bush said.
Bush referred to George Andres, a former
Marine who
has battled for three years to fly an
American flag from
a 12-foot flagpole. His association’s
rules only allow
flags flown from brackets attached to
a house.
After Andres’ refusal, the Indian Creek
Homeowners Association Phase IIIB began fining Andres. After
Andres refused to pay, the association
sued to
foreclose him and receive more than $300,000
in fines and legal fees.
Such restrictions are ridiculous and should
be outweighed by the flag’s patriotic message, Bush said.
"It adds value to the neighborhood," Bush
said.
The case is pending in the 4th District
Court of Appeals in West Palm Beach.
This follows a 46-page report from the
governor’s task force on revising the law governing homeowners associations.
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Florida governor Jeb Bush speaks at a
luncheon at PGA Learning Center in St.
Lucie West hosted by the Treasure Coast
Builders Association. Bush talked about the
successes of mentoring children during the
lunch, and the Builders Association
presented the governor with a
$25,000 check. |
Among their recommendations were awarding
triple damages to members who are the subject of lawsuits filed to intimidate,
and making executive board members liable for legal fees in such cases.
Bush said the members are finalizing their
recommendations, which then may be proposed to the Legislature.
A second state task force also has been
created on the topic by House Speaker Johnnie Byrd, R-Plant City.
While speaking to the TCBA, Bush emphasized
the importance of increasing participation in local mentoring programs.
He pointed to the leader of Stuart Sod,
Mike Pogue, who mentors a 4-year-old named Chris. Pogue spends time writing
rap lyrics with Chris to help Chris improve his reading and writing skills.
"Why sit on the sidelines and watch sadness,
loneliness and hurt become dominant features for kids in our society,"
Bush asked.
The governor emphasized the positive strides
being made in the state through tutoring programs and other volunteer opportunities.
"It’s important to see the thousands upon
thousands of adults and teens now in mentoring relationships," Bush said. |